Bridport’s Close the Door Campaign
Shops and businesses in Bridport are being urged to keep their doors closed against energy waste. This is the local arm of the national ‘Close the Door’ campaign, encouraging shops to stop using expensive fuel to heat the street in winter and cool it in summer, which contributes to global warming and increases the shop’s fuel bills.
Only this past week, Close the Door heard the fantastic news that CtD is a joint winner of the Best Campaign for Climate Week 2012.
The Secretary of State for Energy supports the campaign! Ed Davey comments “I thoroughly support Close the Door’s objectives to save energy and cut carbon emissions in shops . . . It is simply common sense.”
The Bridport campaign is being run by Anne Rickard and Chris Holland. Already, over 20 businesses have joined the campaign and are displaying a Close the Door sticker.
Anne said “Bridport is very well placed to join this campaign. We have several independent businesses here, who are able to make their own decisions. It is interesting to discuss the issue with the shop owners. Our visits have shown that many of our shops sensibly don’t use heating or aircon if they have their door open, but they have agreed to take a sticker to show they support the campaign.”
Chris added “Some shop owners worry that a closed door creates a psychological barrier for anyone entering the shop, but there’s evidence from thousands of shops trading successfully with the door closed to show that profit is not adversely affected.”
The first Bridport shop to join was Jaxsons, who described it as a “no-brainer” and they have been followed by Good News, Bridport Mobility, Lula, IJ Brown, Fruits of the Earth, Joe’s Café, Footeprints, One Stop Money Shop, Specsavers, No.10, Smith & Smith, T Snook, Carpet World, Peach Electricals, Pinns, Dorset Pedlar, Trading Post, Yarn, Rainbow, Bridport Music, Miss Trudy.
Jeannie Dawkins, Director of Close the Door campaign said “Anne and Chris have made a flying and very successful start to the Bridport Close the Door campaign – a great addition to the national campaign and wonderful for energy, CO2 and cost savings for the town.”
Bridport is promised its own page on the national website, to display statements endorsing the campaign and list all the stores in the town who have joined.
If you are a local shop/business owner and would like to take part, please email bridport@closethedoor.org.uk. If you feel a closed door is a barrier to customers, take a minute to browse the website, www.closethedoor.org.uk and watch the short video, or talk with a shop owner who’s already joined.
